ISN Young Nephrologist Committee Member receives AJKD Editors’ Choice Award for research into missed hemodialysis sessions
Issa Al Salmi, from Oman, a member of the ISN Young Nephrologist Committee (YNC) as well as the Local Organizing Working group of the WCN 2020 in Abu Dhabi, was recently awarded the prestigious Editors’ Choice award by the American Journal of Kidney Diseases (AJKD) for his research into the international variation, predictors, and outcomes of missed hemodialysis sessions. Since 2017, AJKD has recognized a small number of articles published within its journal, which the editors have selected to receive the Editors’ Choice Award. This year, Issa’s paper was one of four original research studies selected for this prize.
A challenge to providing quality care to hemodialysis patients is that patients sometimes miss one or more of their thrice-weekly scheduled HD treatments. Issa and his team asked how missing hemodialysis treatments differs across countries, and how missing treatments relates to patient characteristics and outcomes. Using data from the Dialysis Outcomes and Practice Patterns Study (DOPPS), they showed that missing ≥1 hemodialysis treatment over four months varied greatly across countries (<1% in Italy & Japan; 24% in US), across facilities, by particular patient factors, and was associated with poorer outcomes.
The ISN YNC was established in 2007 with the aim of engaging the Society’s younger members, developing education, research, and leadership opportunities tailored specifically for this younger age group. Issa has been a member of the committee for the last five years. He is currently part of initiatives within the committee to better engage younger ISN members, and to encourage nephrologists and trainees from within his region, and worldwide, to become active members of the society. He hopes his award will inspire young nephrologists and trainees to become active members of the ISN and to participate in research to advance our understanding of kidney disease. Issa encourages young nephrologists to come together at the WCN 2020 in Abu Dhabi, to celebrate the work of young ISN members from across the world.
